EAST BUCHANAN CSD - Regular Board Meeting Minutes – April 12, 2023
Call to Order - President Andy Sperfslage called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The board recited the East Buchanan Mission Statement. Board members present were Scott Cooksley, Tim Recker, Andy Sperfslage, Heather Steffens, and Shawn Stone. Administration attending were Superintendent Dan Fox and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. Administration absent were HS/MS Principal Eric Dockstader and Elementary Principal Jacklyn Letzring. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless otherwise noted.
Public Forum – None
Public Hearing for 23-24 Certified Budget – Motion by Stone, second by Steffens to open the public hearing at 5:00 pm. Fox gave a presentation on the 23-24 budget. There was no public comment. Motion by Stone, second by Cooksley to close the public hearing at 5:17 pm.
Public Hearing for 23-24 School Calendar – Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to open the public hearing at 5:17 pm. Fox presented the 23-24 school calendar. There was no public comment. Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to close the public hearing at 5:30 pm.
Approve Agenda - Motion by Cooksley, second by Stone to approve the agenda.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on March 8, 2023, work session on March 13, 2023, and special meeting on March 27, 2023; hiring of Amber Schmitt as HS science teacher, Megan Brock as assistant softball coach, McKinley Meyer as MS social studies teacher, and Michelle Miller as food service director; transfer of Kelly Henderson from elementary to HS/MS guidance counselor and Mandi Smith from fourth grade teacher to elementary guidance counselor; resignation of Amanda Fisher as speech coach, Sara Dolan as preschool associate, and Jenalee McElroy as instructional coach; resignation with retirement incentive of Sue Hoefer as elementary associate; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Fox presented the elementary update provided by Letzring that ISASP testing is complete, interviewing for 4th grade teacher position, staff is working on the master schedule for 23-24, students went roller skating, student council and Mrs. Henderson put together an assembly before break, and staff participated in a challenge on the professional development day before break. Fox reported the HS/MS has completed ISASP testing, the play was a success, prom is on April 22nd, and the conditions of learning survey will be sent out soon. Fox and Kerkove reported on the location of the playground and plans for installation. Work on the track is to begin on April 17th.
Prepayment Levy Resolution – Board Member Stone introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Steffens seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called and the following directors voted: Ayes – Cooksley, Stone, Steffens, Recker, Sperfslage, Nayes: None. The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REDEMPTION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2017, DATED MAY 1, 2017„ AND LEVYING A TAX FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 FOR THE REDEMPTION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2017, DATED MAY 1, 2017. WHEREAS, the East Buchanan Community School District (the "District") issued $6,500,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2017, dated May 1, 2017 (the "Series 2017 Bonds"), of which $5,210,000 are currently outstanding; of which $90,000 were called for redemption on May 1, 2023 pursuant to a resolution adopted April 10, 2019; of which $125,000 were called for redemption on May 1, 2023 pursuant to a resolution adopted April 8, 2020; of which $125,000 were called for redemption on May 1, 2023 pursuant to a resolution adopted March 10, 2021; of which $210,000 were called for redemption on May 1, 2023 pursuant to a resolution adopted April 13, 2022; and of which $ 125,000 are now being called for redemption on May l, 2024, which are described in Schedule A attached to this Resolution (the "Redeemed Bonds"); and WHEREAS, at this time, it is in the best interest of the District to levy a tax for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024, which is sufficient to call and redeem the Redeemed Bonds on May 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Series 2017 Bonds which mature after May 1, 2023 may be called in whole or in part on any date beginning on May 1, 2023, from any funds regardless of source, in any order of maturity and within annual maturity by lot by giving 30 days' written notice of redemption to the registered owner of the Bonds, the terms of redemption to be par plus accrued interest to the date of call, such notice to be deemed completed upon transmission to the owner of record of the Bond at the address shown on the books of the Registrar; and WHEREAS, selection by lot will be necessary to select bonds to be called among the mandatory redemption payment due on May 1, 2036 of the Term Bond which matures on May l, 2037; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the District to call and redeem the Redeemed Bonds. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved: Section 1. That the Redeemed Bonds are hereby redeemed as of May 1, 2024. Section 2. UMB Bank, N.A., West Des Moines, Iowa, in its capacity as Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent, is hereby authorized and directed to cause notice of such redemption to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of redemption by written notice to the registered owner of the Redeemed Bonds in substantially the form set forth in Schedule B attached to this Resolution. Piper Sandler & Co., as Dissemination Agent for the District, is hereby authorized and directed to provide electronic notice of such redemption to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board at http://emma.msrb.org/. On or before May 1, 2024, the Treasurer shall deposit with the Paying Agent $125,000 to call and redeem the Redeemed Bonds described in Schedule A attached to this Resolution, such call and redemption to be effective May 1, 2024 pursuant to the terms of the Series 2017 Bonds. All liability for interest on the Redeemed Bonds shall cease, terminate, and be completely discharged as of May 1, 2024 as provided in Section 6(b) of the Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of the Series 2017 Bonds. Section 3. There is levied upon all the taxable property of the District for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, $125,000 which when collected shall be deposited with the Paying Agent. The Paying Agent is authorized and directed to call and redeem the Redeemed Bonds on May 1, 2024. PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of April, 2023.
Adoption of 23-24 Certified Budget and Taxes – Motion by Recker, second by Cooksley to approve the fiscal year 2024 budget and taxes as discussed whereas the income surtax rate was increased from 5% as published to 7% with a rate of 13.79028.
Budget Guarantee Resolution – Motion by Recker, second by Stone to approve the budget guarantee resolution to levy property taxes for the FY24 regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14 Code of Iowa.
23-24 School Calendar – Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the 23-24 school calendar as presented.
FY23 Amended Certified Budget – Motion by Recker, second by Cooksley to hold a public hearing for the purpose of amending the current school budget on May 10, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Retirement Payout Distribution – Motion by Recker, second by Steffens to designate that FY23 retiree benefits will be paid out as 100% to an individual’s HRA for both the IPERS Rule Payout and Sick Days Payout.
Operational Sharing for Special Education Director – Motion by Stone, second by Cooksley to approve operational sharing with Central Rivers AEA for a special education director.
Operational Sharing for Superintendent – No action taken. Both parties need to meet to discuss.
School Safety – No action taken. Fox reported the state assessment is done and we are waiting for emergency management to sign off on it.
Playground – No action taken.
Board Policy Review – Motion by Recker, second by Cooksley to approve the second reading of policies 804.5 and 405 through 407.5 series as presented.
#BucPr1de – Archery did well in competition, kindergarten classes had baby chicks hatch, the 12-passenger van is already being used, and the eSports team is completing.
Student Questions – Students asked if there are any other activities planned for next year, will there be any more updates to the HS hallways, and if there is any more construction in the district.
Exempt Session – Motion by Stone, second by Recker to go into exempt session at 6:41 pm per Iowa Codes 20.17(3), 21.9, and 20.9. Session ended at 7:37 pm.
Adjourn – Motion by Recker, second by Steffens to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 pm.
The above are not official minutes until approved at the next regular board meeting. A copy of the official minutes may be viewed in the office of the Board Secretary any Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.